Compounds, compositions and methods using E-selectin antagonists for mobilization of hematopoietic cells

ABSTRACT

Methods are provided herein for use of E-selectin antagonists for mobilizing cells, such as hematopoietic cells, hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells, white blood cells, and malignant cells, and hematopoietic tumor cells from the bone marrow. More specifically, methods are provided for using E-selectin antagonists including, for example, glycomimetic compounds, antibodies, aptamers, and peptides for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral vasculature and tissues.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/734,924 filed Dec. 7, 2012 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/784,206 filed Mar. 14, 2013, which applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

Agents and compositions thereof are described herein that are E-selectin antagonists and may be used as therapeutics. Methods are described for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow using the E-selectin antagonists described herein.

Description of the Related Art

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a potentially curative therapeutic approach for various malignant hematologic and lymphoid diseases. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) may be collected from the blood or the bone marrow and used for repopulating hematopoiesis. Recent studies demonstrate clinical advantages of re-infusing autologous mobilized peripheral blood stem cells compared with bone marrow HSCs (see, e.g., Lemoli et al., Haematologica 93:321-324 (2008); Gratwohl et al., Blood 100:2374-86 (2002)). The cytokine, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), has been the agent predominantly used in the clinic for mobilization of HSCs. More recently, a chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor 4 (CXCR4) antagonist, AMD3100 (also called plerixafor) has been administered alone or with G-CSF for this purpose.

Not all patients treated with G-CSF have successful mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells: as high as 25% of patients with lymphomas, multiple myeloma, or acute leukemia, and in 10-20% of normal volunteers, all of whom require extended aphereses (see, e.g., Pelus, Curr. Opin. Hematol. 15:285-92 (2008) and references cited therein). Studies are ongoing to identify additional agents to use alone or in combination with G-CSF to reduce the multidosing requirement and to improve long term quality of life.

Therefore, a need exists in the art to identify highly effective, non-toxic, and less expensive therapeutics useful for mobilizing peripheral blood stem cells.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Briefly, provided herein are agents that are E-selectin antagonists, compositions comprising the agents, and methods for using the agents. These agents are useful for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow, including hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells and white blood cells, such as granulocytes (including neutrophils). In other embodiments, the cells are tumor cells such as malignant tumor cells or hematologic tumor cells. Glycomimetic compounds that may be used in these methods are E-selectin antagonists as described herein.

In one embodiment, Embodiment I, a method is provided for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow in a subject comprising administering to the subject a compound (which is a glycomimetic compound that is an E-selectin antagonist) having the following formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, tautomer, hydrate or solvate thereof, wherein:

-   -   R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈         haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl;     -   R² is H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, —C(═O)OY where Y is         C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl or C₂-C₄ alkynyl, or a         non-glycomimetic moiety or a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety,         wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety is selected from         polyethylene glycol, thiazolyl, and chromenyl;     -   R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈         haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or cyclopropyl;     -   R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² where Z¹ and Z² are each independently H,         C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl,         C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or wherein Z¹ and Z² join         to form a ring;     -   R⁵ is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl;     -   R⁶ is —OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈         haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl;     -   R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈         haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl; and     -   R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈         haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl.

Embodiment 2

The method of Embodiment 1, wherein (a) at least one of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (b) at least one of R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (c) at least two of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (d) R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety; or (e) at least one of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety.

Embodiment 3

The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2 wherein each C₁-C₈ haloalkyl is independently selected from —CH₂X, CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CH₂X, CHX₂, —CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CHX₂, —CX₃ and —CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CX₃, wherein m is 0-6 and X is F, Cl, Br or I.

Embodiment 4

The method of Embodiment 3 wherein at least one X is F. Embodiment 5 The method of Embodiment 3 wherein at least one C₁-C₈ haloalkyl is —CH₂X, —CHX₂ or —CX₃. Embodiment 6: The method of Embodiment 5 wherein X is F.

Embodiment 7

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-3 wherein R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² wherein Z¹ and Z² are each C₁-C₈ alkyl. Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 7 wherein Z¹ and Z² are each —CH₃.

Embodiment 9

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-8, wherein R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. Embodiment 10: The method of Embodiment 9, wherein R¹ is —CH₂OH or —CHF₂.

Embodiment 11

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10 wherein R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, or cyclopropyl. Embodiment 12: The method of Embodiment 11, wherein R³ is methyl or trifluoromethyl.

Embodiment 13

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-12, wherein R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. Embodiment 14: The method of Embodiment 13, wherein R⁸ is methyl or trifluoromethyl.

Embodiment 15

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-14, wherein R⁶ is —OH.

Embodiment 16

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-15 wherein R⁵ is cyclohexyl.

Embodiment 17

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-16, wherein R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. Embodiment 18: The method of Embodiment 17, wherein R¹ is ethyl or —CHF₂.

Embodiment 19

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-18, wherein the compound of formula (I) has a structure of formula (Ia):

wherein R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl;

-   -   R² is H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, —C(═O)OY where Y is         C₁-C₄ alkyl, or a non-glycomimetic moiety or a         linker-non-glycomimetic moiety, wherein the non-glycomimetic         moiety is selected from polyethylene glycol, thiazolyl, and         chromenyl;     -   R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, or cyclopropyl;     -   R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² where Z¹ and Z² are each independently H or         C₁-C₈ alkyl;     -   R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and     -   R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl.

Embodiment 20

The method of Embodiment 19, wherein halo is F.

Embodiment 21

The method of Embodiment 19 or Embodiment 20, wherein R¹ is —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CF₃, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CHF₂, or —CH₂CF₃.

Embodiment 22

The method of any one of Embodiments 19-21, wherein R³ is —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

Embodiment 23

The method of any one of Embodiments 19-22, wherein R⁴ is —OH or —N(CH₃)₂.

Embodiment 24

The method of any one of Embodiments 19-23, wherein R⁷ is —CH₂OH, —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

Embodiment 25

The method of any one of Embodiments 19-24 wherein R⁸ is —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

Embodiment 26

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-25, wherein R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety, and wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety comprises polyethylene glycol.

Embodiment 27

The method of Embodiment 26, wherein the compound of formula (I) has one of the formulae (Ib) or (Ic) described herein.

wherein n is 1 to 100. Embodiment 28: The method of Embodiment 27 wherein n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28.

Embodiment 29 and Embodiment 30

The method of Embodiment 27 or Embodiment 28 wherein the compound has one of the formulae:

Embodiment 31

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-20, wherein R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety such as thiazolyl or chromenyl, and the compound has one of the formulae described herein.

Embodiment 32

The method of Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 19 wherein the compound of formula (I) has one of the formulae (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), or (Ik) described herein. Embodiment 33: The method of Embodiment 32, wherein R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety, and the non-glycomimetic moiety comprises polyethylene glycol.

Embodiment 34

The method of Embodiment 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) has one of the specific formulae, which are described herein.

Examples of such compounds include the following:

Embodiment 35

A method for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an agent capable of competitively inhibiting binding of the compound as defined in one of Embodiments 1-34 to E-selectin, wherein the agent is an antibody, polypeptide, peptide or aptamer. Embodiment 36: The method of Embodiment 35 wherein the agent is capable of inhibiting binding of the compound having the following structure:

wherein n=1-100. Embodiment 37: The method of Embodiment 36, wherein n=4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28.

Embodiment 38

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-37, wherein the cells are hematopoietic cells. Embodiment 39: The method of Embodiment 38 wherein the hematopoietic cells are hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Embodiment 40

The method of Embodiment 38 wherein the hematopoietic cells are mature white blood cells.

Embodiment 41

The method of any one of Embodiments 1-37, wherein the cells are tumor cells. Embodiment 42: The method of Embodiment 41, wherein the tumor cells are hematologic tumor cells. Embodiment 43: The method of Embodiment 41, wherein the tumor cells are malignant cells.

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known structures have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” In addition, the term “comprising” (and related terms such as “comprise” or “comprises” or “having” or “including”) is not intended to exclude that in other certain embodiments, for example, an embodiment of any composition of matter, composition, method, or process, or the like, described herein, may “consist of” or “consist essentially of” the described features. Headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed embodiments.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

Also, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a compound” may refer to one or more compounds, or a plurality of such compounds, and reference to “a cell” or “the cell” includes reference to one or more cells and equivalents thereof (e.g., plurality of cells) known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Similarly, reference to “a composition” includes a plurality of such compositions, and refers to one or more compositions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. When steps of a method are described or claimed, and the steps are described as occurring in a particular order, the description of a first step occurring (or being performed) “prior to” (i.e., before) a second step has the same meaning if rewritten to state that the second step occurs (or is performed) “subsequent” to the first step. The term “about” when referring to a number or a numerical range means that the number or numerical range referred to is an approximation within experimental variability (or within statistical experimental error), and thus the number or numerical range may vary between 1% and 15% of the stated number or numerical range. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. The term, “at least one,” for example, when referring to at least one compound or to at least one composition, has the same meaning and understanding as the term, “one or more.”

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and attached drawings. All references disclosed herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety as if each was incorporated individually.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D present a diagram illustrating the synthesis of an embodiment (compound 25) of the compounds having formula I provided herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the synthesis of an embodiment of the compounds having formula I provided herein.

FIGS. 3A-3D present a scan of the NMR spectrum of Compound 25.

FIG. 4 illustrates mobilization of neutrophils by an exemplary E-selectin antagonist, Compound 25. Groups of animals received Compound 25 at doses of 20 mg/kg (Cmpd 25 (20)), 40 mg/kg (Cmpd 25 (40)), or 60 mg/kg (Cmpd 25 (40)). Another group of animals received 3 mg/kg of plerixafor (AMD-3100). Neutrophils were enumerated (K/μl) in blood samples taken at 2, 3, and 6 hours after dosing.

FIGS. 5A-5E shows mobilization activity of Compound 25 in CD-1 mice after a single dose of 20, 40 or 60 mg/kg of the compound injected intravenously. The mobilization activity of Compound 25 was compared to AMD3100 dosed at 3 mg/kg and to untreated controls. Blood was collected from the animals at 2, 3, and 6 hours post dosing and analyzed for levels of total white blood cells (WBC) (Figure SA), neutrophils (FIG. 5B), eosinophils (FIG. 5C), lymphocytes (FIG. 5D), monocytes (FIG. 5E).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Provided herein is a method for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow, including hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells and leukocytes (e.g., granulocytes (including neutrophils), macrophages, etc.). The methods for mobilizing cells described herein are also useful for mobilizing tumor cells (e.g., hematopoietic tumor cells, malignant cells) from the bone marrow. These methods include administering agents that are E-selectin antagonists, including glycomimetic compounds described herein, that inhibit interaction of E-selectin with sialyl Le^(a) (sLe^(a)) or sialyl Le^(x) (sLe^(x)). Agents that are also provided are antibodies, polypeptides, peptides and aptamers that bind at or near the binding site on E-selectin to which the compounds bind (i.e., an antibody, polypeptide, peptide, or aptamer as described herein is capable of competing with the compounds to inhibit E-selectin interaction with sialyl Le^(a) (sLe^(a)) or sialyl Le^(x) (sLe^(x))).

E-selectin is an adhesion molecule expressed on endothelial cells and binds to specific carbohydrate sequences (sialyl Le^(x) and sialyl Le^(a)) found on the surfaces of opposing bound cells. The endothelium in most of the normal vasculature does not express E-selectin until stimulation of protein synthesis by inflammatory mediators. After about three hours of de novo protein synthesis, E-selectin is then expressed as a result of an inflammatory response. In contrast, E-selectin is constitutively expressed in the bone marrow by the endothelial cells lining the blood vessels. Here, it is thought, without wishing to be bound by theory, that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells reside in the vasculature niche of the bone marrow by binding to adhesion molecules, including E-selectin. Recent evidence also suggests that E-selectin plays a role in activating these cells, causing cell proliferation and initiating differentiation.

In this disclosure, antagonists of E-selectin are provided that mobilize cells, including hematopoietic cells, from the bone marrow. Such antagonists may include but are not limited to small molecules, antibodies, aptamers, peptides, and glycoproteins. Stem cells derived from mobilized cells from the bone marrow of each of autologous and allogeneic donors have a wide range of therapeutic uses. Due to age, disease, and certain genetic conditions, some individuals do not respond well to current methods of mobilizing stem cells, such as the use of Plerixafor (AMD-3100) and/or G-CSF. In one embodiment, a method is provided for mobilizing stem cells by inhibiting E-selectin, a major adhesion protein in the bone marrow vasculature. This method may comprise using the E-selectin antagonist alone or in combination with other agents currently used to mobilize hematopoietic stem cells. Specific small molecule antagonists of E-selectin that mobilize hematopoietic cells and which are therefore useful for these methods and other methods are described herein.

Agents

E-selectin antagonists (e.g., compounds of formula I) described herein comprise substituents that are less likely to be cleaved by esterases and thus have increased stability. These compounds therefore provide improved compounds than those previously described in the art.

In one embodiment, the E-selectin antagonist is a glycomimetic compound that has the following formula (I):

a pharmaceutically acceptable salt (i.e., physiologically suitable salt), isomer, tautomer, hydrate or solvate thereof. Formula I comprises R¹ to R⁸ that represent positions on the compound at which a substituent (e.g., R⁸) or a portion of a substituent (e.g., R³) may be varied according to the choices provided herein.

In one embodiment, R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl;

R² is H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, —C(═O)OY where Y is C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₂-C₄ alkenyl or C₂-C₄ alkynyl, a non-glycomimetic moiety, or a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety (i.e., a linker joined to a non-glycomimetic moiety), wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety is selected from polyethylene glycol, thiazolyl, and chromenyl;

R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or cyclopropyl;

R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² where Z¹ and Z² are each independently H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or wherein Z¹ and Z² join to form a ring;

R⁵ is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl;

R⁶ is —OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl;

R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl; and

R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl.

In some embodiments, the compound of formula (I) is selected from compounds wherein (a) at least one of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (b) at least one of R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (c) at least two of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are C₁-C₈ haloalkyl; (d) R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety; or (e) at least one of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety.

In a particular embodiment of the compound of formula I, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl is selected from —CH₂X, —CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CH₂X, —CHX₂, —CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CHX₂, —CX₃ and —CH₂—(CH₂)_(m)—CX₃, wherein m is 0-6 and X is F, Cl, Br or I. In this embodiment, the terminal carbon is substituted with one or more halo radicals. In specific embodiments, X is F. When two or more halo radicals are present, each is independently selected. The number of methylene groups represented by “m” is “0-6” which includes 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and all ranges between and including 0 to 6. In certain embodiments, at least one of C₁-C₈ haloalkyl is CH₂X, —CHX₂, or —CX₃. In certain more specific embodiments, X is F.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl. In certain embodiments of the compound of formula I, R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. In more particular embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃ haloalkyl. In a more specific embodiment, R¹ is methyl (—CH₃), ethyl (—CH₂CH₃), or —CF₃ or —CHF₂. In another embodiment, R¹ is ethyl (—CH₂CH₃) or —CHF₂

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R² is H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, or —C(═O)OY wherein Y is C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₂-C₄ alkenyl or C₂-C₄ alkynyl. In other embodiments, R² is a non-glycomimetic moiety (M) or a linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety, wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety is selected from polyethylene glycol (PEG), thiazolyl, and chromenyl. In one particular embodiment, R² is a non-glycomimetic moiety (M), linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety (also indicated as -L-non-glycomimetic moiety or -L-M), wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety is polyethylene glycol. In a particular embodiment, R² is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₂NH₂. In certain embodiments, when R² comprises a non-glycomimetic moiety or a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety described herein, wherein these moieties provide advantageous or improved characteristics such as enhanced bioavailability; desired pharmacokinetics; improved stability, and the like, to the compound and are non-immunogenic. Other exemplary non-glycomimetic moieties described herein include thiazolyl and chromenyl heteroaryls, for example 4-methylthiazolyl and 7-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-on-yl. In some embodiments, R² is H.

R² may be attached to the glycomimetic portion of the compounds of formula (I) (or formula Ia as described below) either directly or via a linker (L). Linkers are well known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. In particular embodiments, the linker that joins the glycomimetic moiety of formula I to a non-glycomimetic moiety (M) is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NHC(═O)—; in more specific embodiments, the linker is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)NHC(═O)—, or the linker is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₂NHC(O)—. In other certain embodiments, the linker is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NHC(═O)(CH₂)₁₋₄; in more specific embodiments, the linker is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)NHC(═O)—CH₂, or the linker is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₂NHC(═O)—(CH₂)₂. Linkers also include those called in the art “click chemistry” linkers (see, e.g., Brik et al., Chem. Bio. Chem. 2003, 4, 1246; Helms et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 15020; Lober et al., Org. Let. 2003, 5, 1753; Moses et al., Chem. Soc. Rev 2007, 36, 1249-1262).

Other exemplary linkers are described in International Application Publication WO 2007/028050. By way of additional example, linkers include the following.

In still other embodiments, the linker is

In another embodiment, the linker is —C(═O)—NH—(CH₂)₂—NH—; —CH₂—NH—CH₂—, or is —C(O)—NH—CH₂—.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or cyclopropyl. In other certain embodiments of the compound of formula I, R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl or cyclopropyl. In more particular embodiments, R¹ is C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃ haloalkyl. In more specific embodiments, R³ is —CH₃ (methyl) or —CH₂CH₂—CH₃ (ethyl) or —CF₃ or —CHF₂. In still other embodiments, R³ is methyl or trifluoromethyl.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R⁴ is —OH, or —NZ¹Z², where —Z¹ and Z² are each independently H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or wherein Z¹ and Z² join to form a ring. When Z¹ and Z² join to form a ring, the ring is a heterocyclic ring wherein the heteroatom is N. In one specific embodiment, R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² wherein Z¹ and Z² are each H or C₁-C₈ alkyl. In a more specific embodiment, Z¹ and Z² are each —CH₃ and —NZ¹Z² is —N(CH₃)₂.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R⁵ is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl (i.e., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl). In another embodiment, R⁵ is C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl (i.e., cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl). In a particular embodiment of the compound of formula I, R⁵ is cyclohexyl.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R⁶ is —OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl. In other particular embodiments of the compound of formula I, R⁶ is —OH.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl. In yet another specific embodiment of the compound of formula I, R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. In more particular embodiments, R⁷ is —CH₂OH or —CH₃. In another specific embodiment, R⁷ is C₁-C₃ haloalkyl. In a more specific embodiment, R⁷ is —CH₂F, —CHF₂ or —CF₃. In another specific embodiment, R⁷ is —CH₂OH or —CHF₂.

In one embodiment of the compound of formula (I), R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl. In another particular embodiment of the compound of formula I, R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. In more particular embodiments, R⁸ is C₁-C₃ alkyl or C₁-C₃ haloalkyl. In a more particular embodiment, R⁸ is methyl (—CH₃), —CH₂F, —CHF₂ or trifluoromethyl (—CF₃). In another particular embodiment, R⁸ is methyl or trifluoromethyl (—CF₃).

In a particular embodiment of the compound of formula I, at least one or at least two of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R¹ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. In other certain embodiments, at least one of R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R¹ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. In other particular embodiments, R² is a linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety (M) as defined herein; in still other particular embodiments, R² is a linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety (M) and at least one of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl. When two or more of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, the haloalkyls are independently selected, i.e., may be the same or different or both (if at least three present). Oral bioavailability of a compound may be improved and/or the half-life of the compound increased when at least one or more of R¹, R³, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ haloalkyl and when R² comprises a non-glycomimetic moiety (M) or linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety (-L-M).

In another embodiment of the compound of formula (I) provided herein, R⁸ is cyclohexyl and R⁶ is —OH and the compound of formula (I) has the following formula (Ia):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt (i.e., physiologically suitable salt), isomer, tautomer, hydrate or solvate thereof,

wherein R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl;

R² is H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, —C(═O)OY where Y is C₁-C₄ alkyl, a non-glycomimetic moiety or a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety is selected from polyethylene glycol, thiazolyl, and chromenyl;

R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, or cyclopropyl;

R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z² where Z¹ and Z² are each independently H or C₁-C₈ alkyl;

R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, and

R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl or C₁-C₈ haloalkyl.

In certain embodiments, halo is F.

In other particular embodiments, R¹ is —CH₃, —CH₂CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, —CF₃, —CH₂CH₂F, —CH₂CHF₂, or —CH₂CF₃.

In other embodiments, R³ is —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

In yet another particular embodiment, R⁴ is —OH or —N(CH₃)₂.

In certain embodiments, R⁷ is —CH₂OH, —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

In still another specific embodiment, R⁸ is —CH₃, —CH₂F, —CHF₂, or —CF₃.

In certain particular embodiments, exemplary compounds of formula (I) are provided, wherein R¹ is ethyl, CF₃, or —CHF₂; R³ is methyl or —CF₃; R⁴ is —OH or —N(CH₃)₂; R⁵ is cyclohexyl; R⁶ is —OH; R⁷ is —CH₂—OH, —CHF₂, or CF₃; R⁸ is methyl, —CF₃, or —CHF₂; and R² is H, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₁₋₄NH₂, a non-glycomimetic moiety (M), or linker (L)-non-glycomimetic moiety (M) as described above for a compound of formula I. In other embodiments, R² is as described above for a compound of formula I. Examples described herein have one of the following structural formulae (Id), (I), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), (Ij), or (Ik).

In certain particular embodiments, R₂ is H, —C(═O)NH(CH₂)NH₂, or —C(═O)OCH₃ (also depicted as —COOCH₃), and exemplary compounds have one of the following formulae.

Also described herein are the following compounds of formula (I):

In a particular embodiment of the compound of formula I and formula Ia, R² is a non-glycomimetic moiety that is a polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is a polymer of repeating ethylene oxide units. Length and thus molecular weight vary depending upon how many of repeating units are present. The ethylene oxide units are abbreviated herein as

where n is an integer or a general range of integers from 1 to 100, and any smaller range within the general range. For example, the range of integers for n may be 1 to 25, 1 to 50, 2 to 15, 2 to 20, 2 to 25, 2 to 40, 2 to 50, 2 to 100, 5 to 20, 5 to 40, 5 to 100, as well as all the other numerical combinations. In particular embodiments, n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28.

In particular embodiments, PEG is the non-glycomimetic moiety (M) and the linker (L) is —C(═O)NH(CH₂)₂NHC(═O)— to provide one of the following compounds having formula (Ib) or (Ic):

wherein n is 1 to 100. In particular embodiments, n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28.

In other particular embodiments when M is PEG, the compound of formula (I) has one of the formulae:

In a particular embodiment, R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety (M), and the non-glycomimetic moiety is thiazolyl or chromenyl, for example, 4-methylthiazolyl or 7-hydroxy-2H-chromen-2-on-yl and the compound of formula (I) has one of the following formulae:

Compounds of formula I include all isomers, physiologically acceptable salts (i.e., pharmaceutically acceptable salts), hydrates, solvates, polymorphs, metabolites and prodrugs of any. Examples of isomers are stereoisomers (e.g., enantiomers and racemates) and tautomers.

Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise one or more of the compounds of formula (I), substructures (e.g., Formula (Ia), (Ib), (Ic), (Id), (Ie), (If), (Ig), (Ih), (Ii), and (Ik)) and specific structures thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound may be used in methods described herein. As discussed in greater detail herein, methods are provided for mobilizing cells, including hematopoietic cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells) leukocytes such as neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils, and tumor cells from the bone marrow in a subject comprising administering to the subject a compound of formula (I), substructures, and specific structures or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and any one or more of these compounds having the structure of formula I.

Definitions

The terms below, as used herein, have the following meanings, unless indicated otherwise. Certain chemical groups named herein are preceded by a shorthand notation indicating the total number of carbon atoms that are to be found in the indicated chemical group.

As used herein, a “C₁-C₈ alkyl,” “C₁-C₆ alkyl,” “C₁-C₄ alkyl” or “C₁-C₃ alkyl,” refers to an alkane substituent with one to eight, one to six, one to four, or one to three carbon atoms, respectively, and may be straight chain, branched, or cyclic (e.g., cycloalkanyl). The term “alkanyl” may also be used herein and has the same meaning as alkyl. Examples of alkyls include methyl (“Me”), ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl and t-butyl. A “C₁-C₈ haloalkyl” refers to a C₁-C₈ alkanyl substituted with at least one halogen (halo). When more than one halogen is present, the halogens present may be the same or different or both (if at least three present). A “C₂-C₈ alkenyl” or “C₁-C₄ alkenyl” refers to an alkene substituent with two to eight carbon atoms or two to four carbon atoms, respectively, at least one carbon-carbon double bond, and may be straight chain, branched or cyclic (cycloalkenyl). Examples are similar to “C₁-C₈ alkyl” examples except the alkenyl has at least one carbon-carbon double bond. A “C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl” refers to a C₂-C₈ alkenyl substituted with at least one halogen (halo). When more than one halogen is present, the halogens present may be the same or different or both (if at least three present). A “C₂-C₈ alkynyl” or “C₂-C₄ alkynyl” refers to an alkyne substituent with two to eight carbon atoms or two to four carbon atoms, respectively, at least one carbon-carbon triple bond, and may be straight chain, branched, or cyclic (e.g., cycloalkynyl). Examples are similar to “C₁-C₈ alkyl” examples except the alkynyl has at least one carbon-carbon triple bond. A “C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl” refers to a “C₂-C₈ alkynyl” substituted with at least one halogen (halo). When more than one halogen is present, the halogens present may be the same or different or both (if at least three present).

A non-glycomimetic moiety (M) is a moiety that confers one or more advantageous properties on the compound that enhance the compound's efficacy and use in vivo. Examples of such a property include increased water solubility, decreased immunogenicity, improved stability, and improved pharmacokinetic profile. An improved pharmacokinetic profile includes increased serum half-life, reduced clearance and such that improve the therapeutic index.

“Halo” (or “halogen” or “halide”) is fluoro (F), chloro (Cl), bromo (Br), or iodo (I) radical.

“Aryl” refers to a radical derived from a hydrocarbon ring system comprising hydrogen, 6 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one aromatic ring. The aryl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems. Aryl radicals include, but are not limited to, aryl radicals derived from the hydrocarbon ring systems of aceanthrylene, acenaphthylene, acephenanthrylene, anthracene, azulene, benzene, chrysene, fluoranthene, fluorene, as-indacene, s-indacene, indane, indene, naphthalene, phenalene, phenanthrene, pleiadene, pyrene, and triphenylene. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the term “aryl” or the prefix “ar-” (such as in “aralkyl”) is meant to include aryl radicals that are optionally substituted.

“Aralkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(b)—R_(c) where R_(b) is an alkylene chain as defined above and R_(c) is one or more aryl radicals as defined above, for example, benzyl, diphenylmethyl, trityl and the like. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, an aralkyl group may be optionally substituted.

“Heterocyclyl”, “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic ring” refers to a stable 3- to 24-membered non-aromatic ring radical comprising 2 to 23 carbon atoms and from one to 8 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. In certain embodiments, the heterocyclyl radical is a 5-10 membered heterocycle that comprises 3-9 carbon atoms and from 1-3 heteroatoms. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, the heterocyclyl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atom(s) in the heterocyclyl radical may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized; and the heterocyclyl radical may be partially or fully saturated. Examples of such heterocyclyl radicals include, but are not limited to, dioxolanyl, thienyl[1,3]dithianyl, decahydroisoquinolyl, imidazolinyl, imidazolidinyl, isothiazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, morpholinyl, octahydroindolyl, octahydroisoindolyl, 2-oxopiperazinyl, 2-oxopiperidinyl, 2-oxopyrrolidinyl, oxazolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, 4-piperidonyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, quinuclidinyl, thiazolidinyl, tetrahydrofuryl, trithianyl, tetrahydropyranyl, thiomorpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, I-oxo-thiomorpholinyl, 1,1-dioxo-thiomorpholinyl, 12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, 18-crown-6, 21-crown-7, aza-18-crown-6, diaza-18-crown-6, aza-21-crown-7, and diaza-21-crown-7. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heterocyclyl group may be optionally substituted.

“Heterocyclylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(b)—R_(c) where R_(b) is an alkylene chain as defined above and R_(c) is one or more heterocyclyl radicals as defined above, for example, tetrahydrofuranyl-methyl, tetrahydropyranyl-methyl and the like. A 6-membered heterocyclylalkyl refers to a heterocyclylalkyl, wherein the heterocyclyl moiety has 6 atoms in the ring. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heterocyclalkyl group may be optionally substituted.

“Heteroaryl” refers to a 5- to 14-membered ring system radical comprising hydrogen atoms, one to thirteen carbon atoms, one to six heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, and sulfur, and at least one aromatic ring. In certain embodiments, the heteroaryl radical is a 5-10 membered heteroaryl that comprises 3-9 carbon atoms and from 1-3 heteroatoms. For purposes of this invention, the heteroaryl radical may be a monocyclic, bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic ring system, which may include fused or bridged ring systems; and the nitrogen, carbon or sulfur atoms in the heteroaryl radical may be optionally oxidized; the nitrogen atom may be optionally quaternized. Examples include, but are not limited to, azepinyl, acridinyl, benzimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzindolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzofuranyl, benzooxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzo[b][1,4]dioxepinyl, 1,4-benzodioxanyl, benzonaphthofuranyl, benzoxazolyl, benzodioxolyl, benzodioxinyl, benzopyranyl, benzopyranonyl, benzofuranyl, benzofuranonyl, benzothienyl (benzothiophenyl), benzotriazolyl, benzo[4,6]imidazo[1,2-a]pyridinyl, carbazolyl, cinnolinyl, dibenzofuranyl, dibenzothiophenyl, furanyl, furanonyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, indazolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, isoindolyl, indolinyl, isoindolinyl, isoquinolyl, indolizinyl, isoxazolyl, naphthyridinyl, oxadiazolyl, 2-oxoazepinyl, oxazolyl, oxiranyl, 1-oxidopyridinyl, 1-oxidopyrimidinyl, 1-oxidopyrazinyl, 1-oxidopyridazinyl, 1-phenyl-1H-pyrrolyl, phenazinyl, phenothiazinyl, phenoxazinyl, phthalazinyl, pteridinyl, purinyl, pyrrolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridinyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, quinazolinyl, quinoxalinyl, quinolinyl, quinuclidinyl, isoquinolinyl, tetrahydroquinolinyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazinyl, and thiophenyl (i.e., thienyl). Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroaryl group may be optionally substituted.

“Heteroarylalkyl” refers to a radical of the formula —R_(b)—R_(c) where R_(b) is an alkylene chain as defined above and R_(c) is one or more heteroaryl radicals as defined above, for example, furanyl-methyl, pyridyl-methyl and the like. A 6-membered heteroarylalkyl refers to a heteroarylalkyl, wherein the heteroaryl moiety has 6 atoms in the ring. Unless stated otherwise specifically in the specification, a heteroarylalkyl group may be optionally substituted.

The compounds described herein may generally be used as the free acid or free base. Alternatively, the compounds may be used in the form of acid or base addition salts. Acid addition salts of the free base amino compounds may be prepared according to methods well known in the art, and may be formed from organic and inorganic acids. Suitable organic acids include (but are not limited to) maleic, fumaric, benzoic, ascorbic, succinic, methanesulfonic, acetic, oxalic, propionic, tartaric, salicylic, citric, gluconic, lactic, mandelic, cinnamic, aspartic, stearic, palmitic, glycolic, glutamic, and benzenesulfonic acids. Suitable inorganic acids include (but are not limited to) hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, phosphoric, and nitric acids. Base addition salts of the free acid compounds of the compounds described herein may also be prepared by methods well known in the art, and may be formed from organic and inorganic bases. Suitable inorganic bases included (but are not limited to) the hydroxide or other salt of sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, aluminum, and the like, and organic bases such as substituted ammonium salts. Thus, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” (or physiologically suitable salt) of compounds of formula I and substructures thereof, as well as any and all substructures and specific compounds described herein is intended to encompass any and all pharmaceutically suitable salt forms.

Compounds of formula I and substructures thereof and specific structures may sometimes be depicted as an anionic species. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the compounds exist with an equimolar ratio of cation. For instance, the compounds described herein can exist in the fully protonated form, or in the form of a salt such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or in combination with any inorganic base as described above. When more than one anionic species is depicted, each anionic species may independently exist as either the protonated species or as the salt species. In some specific embodiments, the compounds described herein exist as the sodium salt.

Furthermore, some of the crystalline forms of any compound described herein may exist as polymorphs, which are also included and contemplated by the present disclosure. In addition, some of the compounds may form solvates with water or other solvents. Such solvates are similarly included within the scope of compounds and compositions described herein.

With regard to stereoisomers, the compounds of formula I as well as any substructure or specific structure described herein, may have one or more chiral (or asymmetric) centers, and may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and other stereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolute stereochemistry, as (R)- or (S)-. When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds or other centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, it is intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers (e.g., cis or trans). Likewise, unless otherwise specified, all possible isomers, as well as their racemic and optically pure forms, and all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included. It is therefore contemplated that various stereoisomers and mixtures thereof include “enantiomers,” which refers to two stereoisomers whose molecules are nonsuperimposeable mirror images of one another. Thus, the compounds may occur in any isomeric form, including racemates, racemic mixtures, and as individual enantiomers or diastereomers. A tautomer refers to a proton shift from one atom of a molecule to another atom of the same molecule.

“Prodrug” is meant to indicate a compound that may be converted under physiological conditions or by solvolysis to a biologically active compound described herein. Thus, the term “prodrug” refers to a metabolic precursor of a compound described herein that is pharmaceutically acceptable. A prodrug may be inactive when administered to a subject in need thereof, but is converted in vive to an active compound as described herein. Prodrugs are typically rapidly transformed in vive to yield the parent compound described herein, for example, by hydrolysis in blood. The prodrug compound often offers advantages of solubility, tissue compatibility or delayed release in a mammalian organism (see, e.g., Bundgard, H., Design of Prodrugs (1985), pp. 7-9, 21-24 (Elsevier, Amsterdam). A discussion of prodrugs is provided in Higuchi, T., et al., “Pro-drugs as Novel Delivery Systems,” A.C.S. Symposium Series, Vol. 14, and in Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, ed. Edward B. Roche, American Pharmaceutical Association and Pergamon Press, 1987, both of which are incorporated in full by reference herein.

The term “prodrug” is also meant to include any covalently bonded carriers which release the active compound as described herein in vive when such prodrug is administered to a mammalian subject. Prodrugs of a compound described herein may be prepared by modifying functional groups present in the compound described herein in such a way that the modifications are cleaved, either in routine manipulation or in vivo, to the parent compound described herein. Prodrugs include compounds described herein wherein a hydroxy, amino or mercapto group is bonded to any group that, when the prodrug of the compound is administered to a mammalian subject, cleaves to form a free hydroxy, free amino or free mercapto group, respectively. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, ester and amide derivatives of hydroxy, carboxy, mercapto or amino functional groups in the compounds described herein and the like.

Compound Synthesis Procedures

Synthesis of the compounds of formula I (and substructures, and specific compounds) may be performed as described herein, including the Examples, using techniques familiar to a person skilled in the art. Synthetic methods for preparing exemplary compounds described herein are described in Example 1. The methods may be used for synthesis of the compounds of formula I by using appropriate reactants for preparation of the specific compound using the techniques and methods described herein, and that are routinely practiced in the art. By way of further example, FIGS. 1 and 2 provide schematics of synthesis schemes for exemplary compounds described herein.

In general, compounds of formula (I) can be prepared according to the following General Reaction Scheme I:

Referring to General Reaction Scheme 1, compounds of structure A, wherein R¹ and R² are as defined for formula (I), or are moieties which can be synthetically converted to R¹ or R², and P¹ is a suitable protecting group, can be purchased from commercial sources or prepared according to methods known in the art. Similarly, compounds of structure B, wherein R⁸ is as defined for formula (I), or is a moiety which can be synthetically converted to R⁸, and P² is a suitable protecting group, can be purchased from commercial sources or prepared according to methods known in the art. Reaction of A with B, under appropriate conditions (e.g., bromine followed by tetraethylamonium bromide) and subsequent selective removal of P¹ yields compounds of structure C.

In a parallel scheme, compound D, wherein P³ is a suitable protecting group and P⁴ is suitable protecting group or a moiety which can be synthetically manipulated to obtain R³ (as defined for formula (I)), can be purchased or prepared according to known techniques. Reaction of D with a suitable activating agent (e.g., Cl₃CCN) yields activated compound E. Other suitable means for activating compounds of structure D are known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Coupling of C and E under appropriate conditions yields compounds of structure F.

Selective removal of P³, followed by selective protection yields compounds of structure G, wherein P⁵ is suitable protecting group. Reaction of G with H, wherein P⁶ is suitable protecting group or a moiety which can be synthetically manipulated to obtain R⁴ (as defined for formula (I)), R⁵ is as defined for formula (I) and LG is a suitably activated leaving group (e.g., triflate and the like), and deprotection yields exemplary compounds of formula (I).

It will be appreciated that further synthetic manipulation may be desired to obtain certain compounds of formula (I). For example, in certain embodiments, P⁴ may be an allyloxy group which can be transformed to obtain an alkyl amide (e.g., methyl). In other examples, R¹ in the above scheme may be an alkenyl moiety, and the synthetic scheme includes reduction of the alkene to an alkyl group. Various other modifications to the above General Reaction Scheme I, such as varying the starting(s) material or modifying any of the reaction products to include other non-hydroxyl moieties at R⁶ and/or R⁷ are possible. Methods for these and other modifications to the above exemplary scheme are well known in the art and described in more detailed in the Examples.

It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the processes described herein the functional groups of intermediate compounds may need to be protected by suitable protecting groups, even if not specifically described. Such functional groups include hydroxy, amino, mercapto and carboxylic acid. Suitable protecting groups for hydroxy include trialkylsilyl or diarylalkylsilyl (for example, t-butyldimethylsilyl, t-butyldiphenylsilyl or trimethylsilyl), tetrahydropyranyl, benzyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for amino, amidino and guanidino include t-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for mercapto include —C(O)—R″ (where R″ is alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl), p-methoxybenzyl, trityl and the like. Suitable protecting groups for carboxylic acid include alkyl, aryl or arylalkyl esters. Protecting groups may be added or removed in accordance with standard techniques, which are known to one skilled in the art and as described herein. The use of protecting groups is described in detail in Green, T. W. and P. G. M. Wutz, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (1999), 3rd Ed., Wiley. As one of skill in the art would appreciate, the protecting group may also be a polymer resin such as a Wang resin, Rink resin or a 2-chlorotrityl-chloride resin.

Specific and analogous reactants to those described above may also be identified through the indices of known chemicals prepared by the Chemical Abstract Service of the American Chemical Society, which are available in most public and university libraries, as well as through on-line databases (the American Chemical Society, Washington, D.C., may be contacted for more details). Chemicals that are known but not commercially available in catalogs may be prepared by custom chemical synthesis houses, where many of the standard chemical supply houses (e.g., those listed above) provide custom synthesis services. A reference for the preparation and selection of pharmaceutical salts of the present disclosure is P. H. Stahl & C. G. Wermuth “Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts,” Verlag Helvetica Chimica Acta, Zurich, 2002.

In general, the compounds used in the reactions described herein may be made according to General Reaction Scheme I, Examples 1 and 2, FIGS. 1 and 2 and/or organic synthesis techniques known to those of ordinary skill in this art, starting from commercially available chemicals and/or from compounds described in the chemical literature. “Commercially available chemicals” may be obtained from standard commercial sources including Acros Organics (Pittsburgh Pa.), Aldrich Chemical (Milwaukee Wis., including Sigma Chemical and Fluka), Apin Chemicals Ltd. (Milton Park UK), Avocado Research (Lancashire U.K.), BDH Inc. (Toronto, Canada), Bionet (Cornwall, U.K.), Chemservice Inc. (West Chester Pa.), Crescent Chemical Co. (Hauppauge N.Y.), Eastman Organic Chemicals, Eastman Kodak Company (Rochester N.Y.), Fisher Scientific Co. (Pittsburgh Pa.), Fisons Chemicals (Leicestershire UK), Frontier Scientific (Logan Utah), ICN Biomedicals, Inc. (Costa Mesa Calif.), Key Organics (Cornwall U.K.), Lancaster Synthesis (Windham N.H.), Maybridge Chemical Co. Ltd. (Cornwall U.K.), Parish Chemical Co. (Orem Utah), Pfaltz & Bauer, Inc. (Waterbury Conn.), Polyorganix (Houston Tex.), Pierce Chemical Co. (Rockford Ill.), Riedel de Haen AG (Hanover, Germany), Spectrum Quality Product, Inc. (New Brunswick, N.J.), TCI America (Portland Oreg.), Trans World Chemicals, Inc. (Rockville Md.), and Wako Chemicals USA, Inc. (Richmond Va.).

Methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be identified through various reference books, articles and databases. Suitable reference books and treatise that detail the synthesis of reactants useful in the preparation of compounds of the present disclosure, or provide references to articles that describe the preparation, include for example, “Synthetic Organic Chemistry,” John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York; S. R. Sandler et al., “Organic Functional Group Preparations,” 2nd Ed., Academic Press, New York, 1983; H. O. House, “Modern Synthetic Reactions”, 2nd Ed., W. A. Benjamin, Inc. Menlo Park, Calif. 1972; T. L. Gilchrist, “Heterocyclic Chemistry”, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1992; J. March, “Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure,” 4th Ed., Wiley-Interscience, New York, 1992. Additional suitable reference books and treatise that detail the synthesis of reactants useful in the preparation of compounds of the present disclosure, or provide references to articles that describe the preparation, include for example, Fuhrhop, J. and Penzlin G. “Organic Synthesis: Concepts, Methods, Starting Materials”, Second, Revised and Enlarged Edition (1994) John Wiley & Sons ISBN: 3-527-29074-5; Hoffman, R. V. “Organic Chemistry, An Intermediate Text” (1996) Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-509618-5; Larock, R. C. “Comprehensive Organic Transformations: A Guide to Functional Group Preparations” 2nd Edition (1999) Wiley-VCH, ISBN: 0-471-19031-4; March, J. “Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms, and Structure” 4th Edition (1992) John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 0-471-60180-2; Otera, J. (editor) “Modern Carbonyl Chemistry” (2000) Wiley-VCH, ISBN: 3-527-29871-1; Patai, S. “Patai's 1992 Guide to the Chemistry of Functional Groups” (1992) Interscience ISBN: 0-471-93022-9; Quin, L. D. et al. “A Guide to Organophosphorus Chemistry” (2000) Wiley-Interscience, ISBN: 0-471-31824-8; Solomons, T. W. G. “Organic Chemistry” 7th Edition (2000) John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 0-471-19095-0; Stowell, J. C., “Intermediate Organic Chemistry” 2nd Edition (1993) Wiley-Interscience, ISBN: 0-471-57456-2; “Industrial Organic Chemicals: Starting Materials and Intermediates: An Ullmann's Encyclopedia” (1999) John Wiley & Sons, ISBN: 3-527-29645-X, in 8 volumes; “Organic Reactions” (1942-2000) John Wiley & Sons, in over 55 volumes; and “Chemistry of Functional Groups” John Wiley & Sons, in 73 volumes.

Non-Glycomimetic E-Selectin Antagonists

As noted above, in addition to the compounds of formula I described herein, other agents are provided that bind at or near the binding site on E-selectin to which the compounds binds. The agents therefore include those that are capable of competing with a compound of formula I to inhibit E-selectin interaction with sLe^(a) or sLe^(x). The other agents include antibodies, polypeptides, peptides and aptamers. Such agents may be produced by a variety of means that are well known in the art. For example, the E-selectin protein is used to generate a library of antibodies. The library of antibodies is screened for one or more antibodies of interest using a compound disclosed herein as a competitive inhibitor. Alternatively, for example, the portion of E-selectin that binds the compound is identified and used to generate antibodies of interest (e.g., use of the portion as an immunogen). This portion of E-selectin may also be used to design and produce polypeptides, peptides and aptamers that compete with the compounds described herein.

In certain embodiments, a method is provided herein for mobilizing cells, for example, hematopoietic cells (e.g., hematopoietic stem cells, hematopoietic progenitor cells, leukocytes such as neutrophils) or tumor cells (e.g., hematopoietic tumor cells or malignant cells) in a subject comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and an agent that is capable of competitively inhibiting binding of a compound of formula (I) to E-selectin, wherein the agent is an antibody, polypeptide, peptide or aptamer. In certain specific embodiments, the agent is capable of competitively inhibiting binding of a compound to E-selectin wherein the compound has the following structure:

wherein n=1-100. In particular embodiments, n=8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or 28.

Antibodies and Antigen-Binding Fragments Thereof

Also provided herein are agents, which may be an antibody, polypeptide, peptide, or aptamer that that are E-selectin antagonists and may be useful for the methods and uses described herein. Such agents bind to E-selectin at or near the binding site on E-selectin to which a compound of formula (I) as provided herein binds. These agents are therefore capable of competing with a compound of formula I to bind to E-selectin and are capable of blocking (i.e., inhibiting) binding of E-selectin to an E-selectin ligand.

An agent includes an antibody, or antigen binding fragment thereof, that specifically binds to E-selectin. As described herein, the epitope to which such an antibody binds comprises amino acids at or near the binding site on E-selectin to which a compound as provided herein binds. The epitope to which such an antibody binds may include one or more amino acids contiguous with the residues to which a compound as provided herein binds and/or may include one or more amino acid residues that are non-contiguous but which interact with the compound.

As used herein, an antibody is said to be “immunospecific,” “specific for” or to “specifically bind” to an antigen of interest if it reacts at a detectable level with the antigen. Affinities of antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof can be readily determined using conventional techniques, for example, those described by Scatchard et al. (Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci. USA 51:660 (1949)) and by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) (see, e.g., Wolff et al., Cancer Res. 53:2560-2565 (1993)). Binding properties of an antibody to an antigen may generally be determined and assessed using immunodetection methods including, for example, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, countercurrent immunoelectrophoresis, radioimmunoassays, dot blot assays, inhibition or competition assays, and the like, which may be readily performed by those having ordinary skill in the art (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,376,110 and 4,486,530; Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988)).

These specific antibodies may be polyclonal or monoclonal, prepared by immunization of animals and subsequent isolation of the antibody, or cloned from specific B cells according to methods and techniques routinely practiced in the art and described herein. A variable region or one or more complementarity determining regions (CDRs) may be identified and isolated from antigen-binding fragment or peptide libraries. An antibody, or antigen-binding fragment thereof, may be recombinantly engineered and/or recombinantly produced.

An antibody may belong to any immunoglobulin class. It may be obtained from or derived from an animal, for example, fowl (e.g., chicken) and mammals, which include but are not limited to a mouse, rat, hamster, rabbit, or other rodent, a cow, horse, sheep, goat, camel, human, or other primate. The antibody may be an internalising antibody. Antibodies may generally be prepared by any of a variety of techniques known to persons having ordinary skill in the art and described herein. See, e.g., Harlow et al., Antibodies: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1988); Peterson, ILAR J. 46:314-19 (2005); Kohler and Milstein (Nature, 256:495-97 (1976); Eur. J. Immunol. 6:511-19 (1975); Coligan et al. (eds.), Current Protocols in Immunology, 1:2.5.1-2.6.7 (John Wiley & Sons 1991)).

Human monoclonal anti-E-selectin antibodies may be generated by any number of techniques with which those having ordinary skill in the art will be familiar (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,456; Lonberg et al., Nature 368:856 (1994); U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,397; Bruggemann et al., Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 8:455-58 (1997); Jakobovits et al., Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 764:525-35 (1995)); (WO 92/02551; U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,052; Babcook et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 93:7843-48 (1996); or other procedures as known in the art). Chimeric antibodies, specific for the portion of E-selectin of interest, including humanized chimeric antibodies, may also be generated. See, e.g., Morrison et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 81:6851-55 (1984); Shin et al., Methods Enzymol. 178:459-76 (1989)). Strategies for designing humanized antibodies are routinely practiced in the art (see, e.g., Jones et al., Nature 321:522-25 (1986); Riechmann et al., Nature 332:323-27 (1988); Padlan et al., FASEB 9:133-39 (1995); Chothia et al., Nature, 342:377-83 (1989); Bajorath et al., Ther. Immunol. 2:95-103 (1995)).

For particular uses, antigen-binding fragments of antibodies may be desired. Antibody fragments, F(ab′)₂, Fab, Fab′, Fv, and Fd, can be obtained, for example, by proteolytic hydrolysis of the antibody (see, e.g., Weir, Handbook of Experimental Immunology, Blackwell Scientific, Boston (1986)), or may be synthetically prepared or genetically engineered. Antibody fragments include recombinant single chain polypeptide molecules in which light and heavy variable regions are connected by a peptide linker (scFv proteins), and minimal recognition units (comprises at least one CDR) consisting of the amino acid residues that mimic the hypervariable region. Methods and techniques for preparing and isolating antibody fragments are described in the art (see, e.g., Larrick et al., Methods: A Companion to Methods in Enzymology 2:106, (1991); Courtenay-Luck, in Monoclonal Antibodies: Production, Engineering and Clinical Application, Ritter et al. (eds.), page 166 (Cambridge University Press 1995); and Ward et al., in Monoclonal Antibodies: Principles and Applications, Birch et al., (eds.), page 137 (Wiley-Liss, Inc. 1995); International Patent Application Nos. PCT/US91/08694 and PCT/US91/04666); Scott et al., Science 249:386 (1990); Devlin et al., Science 249:404 (1990); Cwirla et al., Science 276: 1696-99 (1997); U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,731; U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,530; U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,018; U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,665; U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,545; International Application Publication Nos. WO 96/40987 and WO 98/15833).

Antibodies may also be identified and isolated from human, rabbit, mouse or chicken immunoglobulin phage libraries. Antibodies isolated from non-human species or non-human immunoglobulin libraries may be genetically engineered to “humanize” the antibody or fragment thereof. See, e.g., Winter et al., Annu. Rev. Immunol. 12:433-55 (1994); Burton et al., Adv. Immunol. 57:191-280 (1994); U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,409; Huse et al., Science 246:1275-81 (1989); Kang et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:4363-66 (1991); Hoogenboom et al., J. Molec. Biol. 227:381-388 (1992); U.S. Pat. No. 6,703,015).

An agent that is an E-selectin antagonist also includes a peptide-immunoglobulin (Ig) constant region fusion polypeptide, which includes a peptide-IgFc fusion polypeptide. The peptide may be any naturally occurring or recombinantly prepared molecule. A peptide-Ig constant region fusion polypeptide, such as a peptide-IgFc fusion polypeptide (also referred to in the art as a peptibody (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,660,843)), comprises a biologically active peptide or polypeptide capable of altering the sLe^(a) or sLe^(x) binding function of E-selectin that is fused in-frame with a portion, at least one constant region domain (e.g., CH1, CH2, CH3, and/or CH4). Antibody related sequences are provided in Kabat et al. (in Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 4th ed. (U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, U.S. Government Printing Office, 1991).

Peptides and Peptidomimetics

In certain embodiments, interaction between E-selectin and sLe^(a) or sLe^(x) may be inhibited (i.e., inhibited, decreased, disrupted reduced in a biologically or statistically significant manner) by a peptide or peptidomimetic of the portion of E-selectin that binds a compound provided herein. The peptide and the peptide moiety of the peptidomimetic may comprise at least 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16-20, 21-25, 26-30, 31-35, 36-40, 41-45, or 46-50 amino acids. Peptides and peptidomimetics typically have molecular masses less than 10⁴ daltons, less than 10³ daltons, or less than 10² daltons.

Methods for Characterizing Therapeutic Agents

Characterizing at least one biological activity of a therapeutic agent described herein may be determined by performing one or more in vitro and in vivo studies routinely practiced in the art and described herein or in the art. In vitro assays include without limitation binding assays, immunoassays, competitive binding assays and cell based activity assays. Animal model studies may also be performed, which are typically rodent animal studies described in the art or routinely developed or adapted by a person skilled in the art to characterize an agent, including determining efficacy, in vivo. By way of example, mouse animal models are used in the art for determining mobilization of cells, including hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells, mature white blood cells, or tumor cells. The numbers of hematopoietic cells over time can be readily determining using macroscopic analysis and assays (e.g., immunoassays to detect particular markers present on different types of hematopoietic cells). Non-human primate animal models may be used in pre-clinical studies that precede clinical studies; however, these animal models are not typically employed in the same routine manner as rodent animal studies designed for assessing the effectiveness or other characteristics of a therapeutic. Persons skilled in the art of design and execution of animal studies can also readily determine the appropriate control groups to include with the studies as well as determine the appropriate statistical analysis or analyses for evaluating the data.

An inhibition assay may be used to screen for antagonists of E-selectin. For example, an assay may be performed to characterize the capability of a compound or other agent described herein to inhibit (i.e., reduce, block, decrease, or prevent in a statistically or biologically significant manner) interaction of E-selectin with sLe^(a) or sLe^(x). The inhibition assay may be a competitive binding assay, which allows the determination of IC₅₀ values. By way of example, the method comprises immobilizing E-selectin/Ig chimera onto a matrix (e.g., a multi-well plate, which are typically made from a polymer, such as polystyrene; a test tube, and the like); adding a composition to reduce nonspecific binding (e.g., a composition comprising non-fat dried milk or bovine serum albumin or other blocking buffer routinely used by a person skilled in the art); contacting the immobilized E-selectin with the candidate agent in the presence of sLe^(a) comprising a reporter group under conditions and for a time sufficient to permit sLe^(a) to bind to the immobilized E-selectin; washing the immobilized E-selectin; and detecting the amount of sLe^(a) bound to immobilized E-selectin. Variations of such steps can be readily and routinely accomplished by a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Conditions for a particular assay include temperature, buffers (including salts, cations, media), and other components that maintain the integrity of any cell used in the assay and the compound, which a person of ordinary skill in the art will be familiar and/or which can be readily determined. A person of ordinary skill in the art also readily appreciates that appropriate controls can be designed and included when performing the in vitro methods and in vivo methods described herein.

The source of an agent that is characterized by one or more assays and techniques described herein and in the art may be a biological sample that is obtained from a subject who has been treated with the agent. The cells that may be used in the assay may also be provided in a biological sample. A “biological sample” may include a sample from a subject, and may be a blood sample (from which serum or plasma may be prepared), a biopsy specimen, one or more body fluids (e.g., lung lavage, ascites, mucosal washings, synovial fluid, urine), bone marrow, lymph nodes, tissue explant, organ culture, or any other tissue or cell preparation from the subject or a biological source. A biological sample may further refer to a tissue or cell preparation in which the morphological integrity or physical state has been disrupted, for example, by dissection, dissociation, solubilization, fractionation, homogenization, biochemical or chemical extraction, pulverization, lyophilization, sonication, or any other means for processing a sample derived from a subject or biological source. In certain embodiments, the subject or biological source may be a human or non-human animal, a primary cell culture (e.g., immune cells), or culture adapted cell line, including but not limited to, genetically engineered cell lines that may contain chromosomally integrated or episomal recombinant nucleic acid sequences, immortalized or immortalizable cell lines, somatic cell hybrid cell lines, differentiated or differentiatable cell lines, transformed cell lines, and the like.

Methods for Mobilizing Cells from the Bone Marrow

The E-selectin antagonist agents described herein, including glycomimetics, antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof, polypeptides, peptides and aptamers may be useful in methods for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow to the peripheral vasculature and tissues. As discussed herein, in certain embodiments, the E-selectin antagonist agents are useful for mobilizing hematopoietic cells, including hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells. As described herein, E-selectin compounds act as mobilizing agents of normal blood cell types. Accordingly, in other embodiments, the agents are used in methods for mobilizing mature white blood cells (which may also be called leukocytes herein), such as granulocytes (e.g., neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils), lymphocytes, and monocytes from the bone marrow or other immune cell compartments such as the spleen and liver. Methods are also provided for using the glycomimetic compounds described herein for mobilizing tumor cells from the bone marrow. The tumor cells may be malignant cells (e.g., tumor cells that are metastatic cancer cells, or highly invasive tumor cells) in cancers. These tumor cells may be of hematopoietic origin or may be malignant cells of another origin residing in the bone. Hematopoietic tumor cells include by way of non-limiting example, AML cells and multiple myeloma cells. Use of the glycomimetic compounds described herein may facilitate mobilization of tumor cells from the protective endothelium niches and thus render the tumor cells more susceptible to standard of care chemotherapeutic drugs or other cancer treatments. In certain embodiments, the methods and E-selectin antagonists described herein are therefore useful for treating hematologic malignancies and metastatic disease, particularly in combination or as an adjunct therapy with chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.

In certain embodiments, the methods using the E-selectin antagonists described herein are useful for mobilizing hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells and leukocytes (including granulocytes such as neutrophils), which are collected (i.e., harvested, obtained) from the subject receiving the E-selectin antagonist and at a later time are administered back into the same subject (autologous donor) or administered to a different subject (allogeneic donor). Hematopoietic stem cell replacement and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation have been successfully used for treating a number of diseases (including cancers) as described herein and in the art. By way of example, stem cell replacement therapy or transplantation follows myeloablation of a subject, such as occurs with administration of high dose chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Desirably, an allogeneic donor shares sufficient HLA antigens with the recipient/subject to minimize the risk of host versus graft disease in the recipient (i.e., the subject receiving the hematopoietic stem cell transplant). Obtaining the hematopoietic cells from the donor subject (autologous or allogeneic) is performed by apheresis or leukapheresis. HLA typing of a potential donor and the recipient and apheresis or leukapheresis are methods routinely practiced in the clinical art.

By way of non-limiting example, autologous or allogenic hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors cells may be used for treating a recipient subject who has certain cancers, such as Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or multiple myeloma. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors cells may be used, for example, for treating a recipient subject who has acute leukemias (e.g., AML, ALL); chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL); amegakaryocytosis/congenital thrombocytopenia; aplastic anemia/refractory anemia; familial erythrophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; myelodysplastic syndrome/other myelodysplastic disorders; osteopetrosis; paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria; and Wiskott-aldrich syndrome, for example. Exemplary uses for autologous hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors cells include treating a recipient subject who has amyloidosis; germ cell tumors (e.g., testicular cancer); or a solid tumor. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants have also been investigated for use in treating solid tumors (see, e.g., Ueno et al., Blood 102:3829-36 (2003)).

In other embodiments of the methods described herein, the subject is not a donor of peripheral hematopoietic cells but has a disease, disorder, or condition for which mobilization of hematopoietic cells in the subject will provide clinical benefit. Stated another way, while this clinical situation is similar to autologous hematopoietic cell replacement, the mobilized hematopoeitic cells are not removed and given back to the same subject at a later time as occurs, for example, with a subject who receives myeloablation therapy. Accordingly, methods are provided for mobilizing hematopoietic cells, such as hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells and leukocytes (including granulocytes, such as neutrophils), by administering an E-selectin antagonist described herein. Mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells may be useful for treating an inflammatory condition or for tissue repair or wound healing. See, e.g., Mimeault et al., Clin. Pharmacol. Therapeutics 82:252-64 (2007)).

In other embodiments, the methods described herein are useful for mobilizing hematopoietic leukocytes (white blood cells) in a subject, which methods may be used in treating diseases, disorders, and conditions for which an increase in white blood cells, such as neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, basophils, will provide clinical benefit. For example, for cancer patients, the E-selectin antagonists described herein are beneficial for stimulating neutrophil production to compensate for hematopoietic deficits resulting from chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Other diseases, disorders, and conditions to be treated include infectious diseases and related conditions, such as sepsis. When the subject to whom at least one E-selectin inhibitor is administered is a donor, neutrophils may be collected for administration to a recipient subject who has reduced hematopoietic function, reduced immune function, reduced neutrophil count, reduced neutrophil mobilization, severe chronic neutropenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Mobilization of mature white blood cells may be useful in subjects to improve or to enhance tissue repair, and to minimize or prevent vascular injury and tissue damage, for example following liver transplantation, myocardial infarction or limb ischemia. See, e.g., Pelus, Curr. Opin. Hematol. 15:285-92 (2008); Lemoli et al., Haematologica 93:321-24 (2008).

An E-selectin antagonist described herein (e.g., the compounds of formula I) may be used in combination with one or more other agents that mobilize hematopoietic cells. Such agents include, for example, G-CSF; AMD3100 or other CXCR4 antagonists; GRO-β (CXCL2) and an N-terminal 4-amino truncated form (SB-251353); IL-8SDF-1α peptide analogs, CTCE-0021 and CTCE-0214; and the SDF1 analog, Met-SDF-1β (see, e.g., Pelus, supra and references cited therein). The glycomimetic compounds of formula I described herein have low toxicity; by way of example, compound 25 is tolerated in mice at a dose of 1000 mg/kg. Therefore, combining a compound of formula I with other mobilizing agents used in the art may permit administration of a lower dose of GCSF or AMD3100, for example, than required in the absence of a compound of formula I. The appropriate therapeutic regimen for administering an E-selectin antagonist in combination with another mobilizing agent or agents can be readily determined by a person skilled in the clinical art.

As understood by a person of ordinary skill in the medical art, the terms, “treat” and “treatment,” refer to medical management of a disease, disorder, or condition of a subject (i.e., patient, individual) (see, e.g., Stedman's Medical Dictionary). In general, an appropriate dose and treatment regimen provide at least one glycomimetic compound or other agent described herein in an amount sufficient to provide therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit. Therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit includes, for example, an improved clinical outcome, both therapeutic treatment and prophylactic or preventative measures, wherein the object is to prevent or slow or retard (lessen) an undesired physiological change or disorder, or to prevent or slow or retard (lessen) the expansion or severity of such disorder. As discussed herein, beneficial or desired clinical results from treating a subject include, but are not limited to, abatement, lessening, or alleviation of symptoms that result from or are associated with the disease, condition, or disorder to be treated; decreased occurrence of symptoms; improved quality of life; longer disease-free status (i.e., decreasing the likelihood or the propensity that a subject will present symptoms on the basis of which a diagnosis of a disease is made); diminishment of extent of disease; stabilized (i.e., not worsening) state of disease; delay or slowing of disease progression; amelioration or palliation of the disease state; and remission (whether partial or total), whether detectable or undetectable; and/or overall survival. “Treatment” can also mean prolonging survival when compared to expected survival if a subject were not receiving treatment. Subjects in need of treatment include those who already have the disease, condition, or disorder as well as subjects prone to have or at risk of developing the disease, condition, or disorder, and those in which the disease, condition, or disorder is to be prevented (i.e., decreasing the likelihood of occurrence of the disease, disorder, or condition).

In particular embodiments of the methods described herein, the subject is a human or non-human animal. A subject in need of the treatments described herein may exhibit symptoms or sequelae of cancer disease, disorder, or condition described herein or may be at risk of developing the disease, disorder, or condition. Non-human animals that may be treated include mammals, for example, non-human primates (e.g., monkey, chimpanzee, gorilla, and the like), rodents (e.g., rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, ferrets, rabbits), lagomorphs, swine (e.g., pig, miniature pig), equine, canine, feline, bovine, and other domestic, farm, and zoo animals.

The effectiveness of a compound, agent, or composition described herein in treating or preventing a disease or disorder or condition, and determining and adjusting an appropriate dosing regimen (e.g., adjusting the amount of compound per dose and/or number of doses and frequency of dosing), can readily be determined by a person of ordinary skill in the medical and clinical arts. One or any combination of diagnostic methods, including physical examination, assessment and monitoring of clinical symptoms, and performance of analytical tests and methods described herein, may be used for monitoring the health status of the subject.

Mobilization of hematopoietic cells can be monitored using methods and techniques routinely practiced in the art the skilled person. For example, determining total white blood cell counts and differential white blood cell counts are routine clinical laboratory procedures. Hematopoietic stem cells may be identified by identifying the presence or absence of certain cell surface markers (see, e.g., Baum et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89:2804-2808 (1992)). For example, the presence and level of hematopoietic stem cells can be determined by methods that detect the presence of CD34 on the surface of cells (i.e., CD34⁺ cells).

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Methods of Using Pharmaceutical Compositions

Also provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions that comprise any one or more of the E-selectin antagonist agents described herein, such as one or more of the glycomimetic compounds of formula I, substructures of formula Ia, and specific structures thereof, described herein. The isolated antibodies described herein may also be prepared for pharmaceutical use in a subject, including a human subject. The compounds described herein may be formulated in a pharmaceutical composition for use in medicaments and therapeutics for mobilizing hematopoietic cells (including hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells) and for treatment or preventive (or prophylactic) treatment (e.g., reducing the likelihood of occurrence or of exacerbation of a disease, or of one or more symptoms of the disease) of a disease or disorder for which mobilizing hematopoietic cells is beneficial or for which receiving a hematopoietic cell transplant or replacement is beneficial. The methods and excipients described herein are exemplary and are in no way limiting.

In pharmaceutical dosage forms, any one or more of the glycomimetic compounds of formula I, substructures and specific structures described herein may be administered in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, such as a salt, or they may also be used alone or in appropriate association, as well as in combination, with other pharmaceutically active compounds.

An effective amount or therapeutically effective amount refers to an amount of a glycomimetic compound or a composition comprising one or more compounds; or one or more isolated antibodies (or other E-selectin antagonist described herein) that when administered to a subject, either as a single dose or as part of a series of doses, is effective to produce a desired therapeutic effect. Optimal doses may generally be determined using experimental models and/or clinical trials. Design and execution of pre-clinical and clinical studies for each of the therapeutics (including when administered for prophylactic benefit) described herein are well within the skill of a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art. The optimal dose of a therapeutic may depend upon the body mass, weight, or blood volume of the subject. In general, the amount of a compound described herein, that is present in a dose, ranges from about 0.01 μg to about 1000 μg per kg weight of the host. In general, the amount of a polypeptide or peptide, or an antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof as described herein, present in a dose, also ranges from about 0.01 μg to about 1000 μg per kg of subject. The use of the minimum dose that is sufficient to provide effective therapy is usually preferred. Subjects may generally be monitored for therapeutic effectiveness using assays suitable for the disease or condition being treated or prevented, which assays will be familiar to those having ordinary skill in the art and are described herein. The level of a compound or polypeptide that is administered to a subject may be monitored by determining the level of the compound, peptide, antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, or polypeptide (or a metabolite of any of the aforementioned molecules) in a biological fluid, for example, in the blood, blood fraction (e.g., serum), and/or in the urine, and/or other biological sample from the subject. Any method practiced in the art to detect the molecule may be used to measure the level of the molecule during the course of a therapeutic regimen.

The dose of a compound, peptide, antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof, or polypeptide described herein may depend upon the subject's condition, that is, stage of the disease, severity of symptoms caused by the disease, general health status, as well as age, gender, and weight, and other factors apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the medical art. Similarly, the dose of the therapeutic for treating a disease or disorder may be determined according to parameters understood by a person of ordinary skill in the medical art.

Pharmaceutical compositions may be administered in a manner appropriate to the disease or disorder to be treated as determined by persons of ordinary skill in the medical arts. An appropriate dose and a suitable duration and frequency of administration will be determined by such factors as discussed herein, including the condition of the patient, the type and severity of the patient's disease, the particular form of the active ingredient, and the method of administration. In general, an appropriate dose (or effective dose) and treatment regimen provides the pharmaceutical composition(s) as described herein in an amount sufficient to provide therapeutic and/or prophylactic benefit (for example, an improved clinical outcome, such as more frequent complete or partial remissions, or longer disease-free and/or overall survival, or a lessening of symptom severity or other benefit as described in detail above).

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein may be administered to a subject in need thereof by any one of several routes that effectively deliver an effective amount of the compound. Such administrative routes include, for example, topical, oral, nasal, intrathecal, enteral, buccal, sublingual, transdermal, rectal, vaginal, intraocular, subconjunctival, sublingual or parenteral administration, including subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal, intracavernous, intrameatal or intraurethral injection or infusion. Compositions administered by these routes of administration and others are described in greater detail herein.

A pharmaceutical composition may be a sterile aqueous or sterile non-aqueous solution, suspension or emulsion, which additionally comprises a physiologically acceptable excipient (pharmaceutically acceptable or suitable excipient or carrier) (i.e., a non-toxic material that does not interfere with the activity of the active ingredient). Such compositions may be in the form of a solid, liquid, or gas (aerosol). Alternatively, compositions described herein may be formulated as a lyophilizate, or compounds and polypeptides or peptides described herein may be encapsulated within liposomes using technology known in the art. Pharmaceutical compositions may also contain other components, which may be biologically active or inactive. Such components include, but are not limited to, buffers (e.g., neutral buffered saline or phosphate buffered saline), carbohydrates (e.g., glucose, mannose, sucrose or dextrans), mannitol, proteins, polypeptides or amino acids such as glycine, antioxidants, chelating agents such as EDTA or glutathione, stabilizers, dyes, flavoring agents, and suspending agents and/or preservatives.

Any suitable excipient or carrier known to those of ordinary skill in the art for use in pharmaceutical compositions may be employed in the compositions described herein. Excipients for therapeutic use are well known, and are described, for example, in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (Gennaro, 21 Ed. Mack Pub. Co., Easton, Pa. (2005)). In general, the type of excipient is selected based on the mode of administration, as well as the chemical composition of the active ingredient(s). Pharmaceutical compositions may be formulated for any appropriate manner of administration, including, for example, topical, oral, nasal, intrathecal, enteral, buccal, sublingual, transdermal, rectal, vaginal, intraocular, subconjunctival, sublingual or parenteral administration, including subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intrasternal, intracavernous, intrameatal or intraurethral injection or infusion. For parenteral administration, the carrier preferably comprises water, saline, alcohol, a fat, a wax or a buffer. For oral administration, any of the above excipients or a solid excipient or carrier, such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharine, talcum, cellulose, kaolin, glycerin, starch dextrins, sodium alginate, carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, glucose, sucrose and/or magnesium carbonate, may be employed.

A pharmaceutical composition (e.g., for oral administration or delivery by injection) may be in the form of a liquid. A liquid pharmaceutical composition may include, for example, one or more of the following: a sterile diluent such as water for injection, saline solution, preferably physiological saline, Ringer's solution, isotonic sodium chloride, fixed oils that may serve as the solvent or suspending medium, polyethylene glycols, glycerin, propylene glycol or other solvents; antibacterial agents; antioxidants; chelating agents; buffers and agents for the adjustment of tonicity such as sodium chloride or dextrose. A parenteral preparation can be enclosed in ampoules, disposable syringes or multiple dose vials made of glass or plastic. The use of physiological saline is preferred, and an injectable pharmaceutical composition is preferably sterile.

For oral formulations, at least one of the E-selectin antagonist agents described herein can be used alone or in combination with appropriate additives to make tablets, powders, granules or capsules, for example, with any one or more conventional additives, disintegrators, lubricants, and if desired, diluents, buffering agents, moistening agents, preservatives, coloring agents, and flavoring agents. The compositions may be formulated to include a buffering agent to provide for protection of the active ingredient from low pH of the gastric environment and/or an enteric coating. A composition may be formulated for oral delivery with a flavoring agent, e.g., in a liquid, solid or semi-solid formulation and/or with an enteric coating.

Oral formulations may be provided as gelatin capsules, which may contain the active compound or biological along with powdered carriers. Similar carriers and diluents may be used to make compressed tablets. Tablets and capsules can be manufactured as sustained release products to provide for continuous release of active ingredients over a period of time. Compressed tablets can be sugar coated or film coated to mask any unpleasant taste and protect the tablet from the atmosphere, or enteric coated for selective disintegration in the gastrointestinal tract.

A pharmaceutical composition may be formulated for sustained or slow release. Such compositions may generally be prepared using well known technology and administered by, for example, oral, rectal or subcutaneous implantation, or by implantation at the desired target site. Sustained-release formulations may contain the active therapeutic dispersed in a carrier matrix and/or contained within a reservoir surrounded by a rate controlling membrane. Excipients for use within such formulations are biocompatible, and may also be biodegradable; preferably the formulation provides a relatively constant level of active component release. The amount of active therapeutic contained within a sustained release formulation depends upon the site of implantation, the rate and expected duration of release, and the nature of the condition to be treated or prevented.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be formulated as suppositories by mixing with a variety of bases such as emulsifying bases or water-soluble bases. The pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared as aerosol formulations to be administered via inhalation. The compositions may be formulated into pressurized acceptable propellants such as dichlorodifluoromethane, propane, nitrogen and the like.

Any one or more of the E-selectin antagonists described herein may be administered topically (e.g., by transdermal administration). Topical formulations may be in the form of a transdermal patch, ointment, paste, lotion, cream, gel, and the like. Topical formulations may include one or more of a penetrating agent or enhancer (also call permeation enhancer), thickener, diluent, emulsifier, dispersing aid, or binder. Physical penetration enhancers include, for example, electrophoretic techniques such as iontophoresis, use of ultrasound (or “phonophoresis”), and the like. Chemical penetration enhancers are agents administered either prior to, with, or immediately following administration of the therapeutic, which increase the permeability of the skin, particularly the stratum corneum, to provide for enhanced penetration of the drug through the skin. Additional chemical and physical penetration enhancers are described in, for example, Transdermal Delivery of Drugs, A. F. Kydonieus (ED) 1987 CRL Press; Percutaneous Penetration Enhancers, eds. Smith et al. (CRC Press, 1995); Lenneräs et al., J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 54:499-508 (2002); Karande et al., Pharm. Res. 19:655-60 (2002); Vaddi et al., Int. J. Pharm. 91:1639-51 (2002); Ventura et al., J. Drug Target 9:379-93 (2001); Shokri et al., Int. J. Pharm. 228 (1-2):99-107 (2001); Suzuki et al., Biol. Pharm. Bull. 24:698-700 (2001); Alberti et al., J. Control Release 71:319-27 (2001); Goldstein et al., Urology 57:301-5 (2001); Kiijavainen et al., Eur. J. Pharm. Sci. 10:97-102 (2000); and Tenjarla et al., Int. J. Pharm. 192:147-58 (1999).

Kits with unit doses of one or more of the compounds, polypeptides, peptides, aptamers, antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof described herein, usually in oral or injectable doses, are provided. Such kits may include a container containing the unit dose, an informational package insert describing the use and attendant benefits of the therapeutic in treating the pathological condition of interest, and optionally an appliance or device for delivery of the composition.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of E-Selectin Inhibitor

Exemplary glycomimetic compounds of formula I were synthesized as described in this Example and as shown in the exemplary synthesis schemes set forth in FIGS. 1-2.

Synthesis of Compound 2

Compound 1 (60 g) was suspended in H₂O (800 ml) and cooled to 0° C. Solid NaHCO₃ (120 g) was added in portion with stirring and then a solution of KI (474.3 g) and I₂ (127 g) in H₂O (800 ml) was added with stirring. Reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight in the dark. Reaction mixture was then extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×500 ml). The organic layer was washed with Na₂S₂O₃ solution (2×500 ml) and then the combined aqueous layers were extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×300 ml). Organic layers (2100 ml) were combined and washed with cold H₂O (1×500 ml) and cold brine (1×500 ml). The organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered, and concentrated to dryness to give compound 2 as light yellow crystals (119 g). Purity: >95% by TLC.

Synthesis of Compound 3:

To a solution of compound 2 (119 g) in THF (1600 ml) was added DBU (119 ml) with stirring at room temperature and the reaction mixture was gently refluxed overnight with stirring. Some precipitate forms and TLC showed no starting material left. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and dissolved in EtOAc (300 ml), washed with 0.5 M HCl (200 ml) until pH 2-3 of the aqueous wash, and then the organic layer was further washed with H₂O (200 ml). Aqueous layers were combined and extracted with EtOAc (3×200 ml) to produce a second organic layer. Combined organic layers (900 ml) were washed with brine, dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated to dryness to give compound 3 (58 g). Purity: >95% by TLC.

Synthesis of Compound 4:

To a solution of compound 3 (58 g) in MeOH (800 ml) was added NaHCO₃ (47 g) with stirring. The reaction mixture was stirred under gentle reflux for 3 h, cooled to room temperature, filtered and concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (300 ml) and washed with H₂O. Aqueous layer was extracted with EtOAc (3×100 ml). Combined organic layers (600 ml) were washed with 0.5M HCl (200 ml), H₂O (100 ml), and brine (100 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, Hexanes-EtOAc 3:1→3:2) to give compound 4 (54 g). Purity: >95% by TLC.

Synthesis of Compound 5:

Compound 4 (31 g) was dissolved in tBuOMe (620 ml) and vinylacetate (166 ml) added with vigorous stirring. Novozyme 435 (1.4 g) was added and vigorous stirring continued for 5.5 h. The reaction mixture was filtered and stored at −20° C. After 12-18 hours, another batch of NOVOZYME 435 resin (1.4 g) was added and stirred vigorously for 8 h. Resin was filtered and concentrated to dryness. Oily residue was purified by COMBIFLASH® system (silica) using 0→50% EtOAc/Hexanes to give compound 5 (13.0 g).

Synthesis of Compound 6:

Compound 5 (13.5 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (300 ml) under argon and TBDMS-Cl (26.4 g) added with stirring at room temperature under argon. DBU (32.4 ml) was added and stirring continued for overnight at room temperature under argon. MeOH (30 ml) was added and washed with cold saturated solution of NaHCO₃ (200 ml), brine (150 ml). The organic layer was dried (Na2SO4), filtered and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by COMBIFLASH® system (SiO₂) using solvent EtOAc-Hexanes (0-15%) to give compound 6 (18 g). Purity >95% by TLC.

Synthesis of Compound 7:

Compound 6 (12 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (400 ml) and cooled to 0° C. m-chloroperbenzoic acid (77%, 19 g) was added and the solution stirred for few hours during which the temperature of the reaction mixture reached to room temperature. The stirring was continued overnight at room temperature. CH₂Cl₂ (300 ml) was added and washed with cold saturated solution of NaHCO₃ (3×400 ml), brine (cold), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by COMBIFLASH® system (SiO₂) using EtOAc-Hexanes (0→30%) to give 7 (9 g). Purity: >95% by TLC.

Synthesis of Compound 8:

All operation of this step was done in argon atmosphere. CuCN (9.42 g) was dried at 160° C. under vacuum for 40 min, cooled down to room temperature and suspended in THF (80 ml). The mixture was cooled down to −78° C. During this time, tetravinyltin (12 ml) and n-BuLi in hexane (2.5 M, 100 ml) were reacted for 30 min at 0° C. in THF (30 ml). This solution was added to the mixture of CuCN in THF, and the resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min. at −20° C. The mixture was then cooled to −78° C. and to which was added a solution of freshly distilled BF₃.Et2O (6 ml) in THF (20 ml). The mixture was stirred for 20 min. at −78° C. Compound 7 (5 g) in THF (40 ml) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 5 h. MeOH (7 ml) and Et₃N (3 ml) was added and the mixture was concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc (200 ml) and washed with saturated solution of NaHCO₃ (2×100 ml), brine (100 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by COMBIFLASH® system (SiO2) using solvent EtOAc-Hexanes (0→5%) to give compound 8 (2.5 g).

Synthesis of Compound 10:

Compound 8 (2.25 g, 7 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (7 ml) and solvent evaporated off. The process was repeated twice and finally dried under vacuum for 15 min. The residue was dissolved in anhydrous CH₂Cl₂ (45 ml) and DMF (45 ml) was added. The solution was stirred under argon at room temperature and molecular sieves (3 g, 4 Å, powdered and flamed dried) added. Et₄NBr (3.3 g, 15.7 mmol, 2.2 equivalents, dried at 200° C. for 2 h) was added and the stirring continued for 1 h at room temperature under argon.

Compound 9 (5.13 g, 10 mmol, 1.42 equivalents) was co-evaporated with toluene (3×20 ml), dried under vacuum, and dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (45 ml). The reaction mixture was placed in an ice-bath and stirred for 10 min. To this solution was added Br₂ (0.8 ml, 15 mmol, 1.5 equivalents) drop-wise with stirring in the ice-bath. Stirring was continued for 40 min at the same temperature. The ice-bath was removed and cyclohexene (2.1 ml) added slowly with stirring after 10 min. The reaction mixture was stirred for 10 min. and added slowly to the reaction mixture above with stirring at room temperature under argon. Stirring continued for 17 h and then pyridine (4 ml) was added, filtered and the filtrate concentrated to dryness. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml) and transferred to a separatory funnel. The organic layer was washed with cold brine (2×75 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered and concentrated to dryness, co-evaporated with toluene (3×50 ml), and dried under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in THF (8 ml) and a solution of TBAF (1 M in THF, 10 ml, 10 mmol, 1.42 equivalents) added with stirring at room temperature. Stirring was continued for 15 h and solvent evaporated off. The residue was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (100 ml) and transferred to a separatory funnel, washed with cold brine (2×75 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography (Hexanes-Ethyl acetate from 100% hexanes to 70% hexanes in EtOAc) to give compound 10 (1.6 g, 2.59 mmol, 37% overall in two steps). TLC: 5% EtOAc in hexanes and 33% EtOAc in hexanes.

Synthesis of Compound 12:

Commercially available compound 11 (10 g) was dried overnight under vacuum overnight and added to a solution of NaOMe (5 M, 10 ml) in MeOH (200 ml) with stirring at room temperature under argon. Stirring was continued for overnight at room temperature argon, and Et₃N (7 ml) was added followed by allylchloroformate (3.5 ml) dropwise. Stirring was continued for 6 h at room temperature under argon. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and dissolved in pyridine (100 ml). Ac₂O (50 ml) was added at room temperature under argon and stirred at room temperature for overnight. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and purified by column chromatography on COMBIFLASH® system using EtOAc-Hexanes (0-100%). The desired fractions were collected and concentrated to dryness to give Compound 12 (10.2 g).

Synthesis of Compound 13:

Compound 12 (7.5 g) was dissolved in DMF (140 ml) to which was added NH₄OAC (4.05 g) with stirring. Stirring was continued for overnight at room temperature under argon. The next day the reaction mixture was stirred at 50° C. under argon for 8 h. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness and the residue dissolved in EtOAc (150 ml), washed with brine (100 ml), dried (Na₂SO₄), filtered, and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography (SiO₂, Hexanes-EtOAc 2:1→1:2) to give Compound 13 (6 g).

Synthesis of Compound 14:

Compound 13 (6 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (50 ml) to which was added CCl₃CN (6 ml) and DBU (0.5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 0.5 h, solvent was evaporated off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give Compound 14 (4.5 g).

Synthesis of Compound 15:

Compound 10 (2 g) and compound 14 (2.1 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (40 ml). To this solution were added molecular sieves (4 Å, 0.8 g) and stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The solution was then cooled to 0° C. and BF₃Et₂O (0.25 ml dissolved in 5 ml) is added with stirring at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 2 h. Et₃N (0.5 ml) was added and the solvent was evaporated off. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give Compound 15 (1.8 g).

Synthesis of Compound 16:

Compound 15 (1.7 g) was treated with 0.01 N NaOMe in MeOH (10 ml) for 2 h and neutralized with IR-120 (H⁺) resin, filtered, and concentrated to dryness to give Compound 16 (1.25 g).

Synthesis of Compound 17:

To a solution of compound 16 (1.2 g) in CH₃CN (30 ml) was added Et3N (0.28 ml) and cooled to 0° C. To this solution was added BzCN (0.35 mg in 10 ml CH₃CN) dropwise during 20 min at 0° C. The reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at 0° C. and concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give compound 17 (0.95 g).

Synthesis of Compound 19:

Compound 17 (0.9 g) was dissolved in MeOH (12 ml). To this solution was added Bu₂SnO (0.4 g) and the mixture was refluxed for 2 h. Solvent was evaporated off and the residual solvent was co-evaporated off with toluene 3 times. The residue was dissolved in dimethoxy ethane (15 ml). To this solution was added CsF (0.8 g) and compound 18 (2.1 g, synthesized as described previously, J. Med. Chem. 42:4909, 1999). The reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, and the solvent was evaporated off. The residue was purified by column chromatography to give compound 19 (0.8 g).

Synthesis of Compound 20:

Compound 19 (0.7 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (20 ml). To this solution was added Pd(Ph)₄ (0.14 g), Bu₃SnH (0.15 ml), and Ac₂O (0.3 ml) and the reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. Solvent was evaporated off and the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give compound 20 (0.5 g).

Synthesis of Compound 21:

To a solution of compound 20 (0.45 g) in dioxane-H₂O—AcOH (10:2:1, 2.6 ml) was added 10% Pd—C (0.15 g), and the reaction mixture was shaken at room temperature under positive pressure (20 psi) of hydrogen for 5 h. The solid was filtered off, and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness. The residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give Compound 21 (0.3 g).

Synthesis of Compound 22:

Compound 21 (0.28 g) was treated with 0.025 N NaOMe in MeOH (5 ml) for 4 h, neutralized with IR-120 (H+) resin, filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness to give compound 22 (0.21 g).

Synthesis of Compound 23:

Compound 22 (0.18 g) was dissolved in ethylenediamine (2 ml) and stirred at 80° C. for 8 h. Solvent was evaporated off and the residue purified using Sep-pak C18 cartridges to give compound 23 (0.15 g).

Synthesis of Compound 25:

Compound 23 (200 mg) was dissolved into 2 mL DMF to which Et₃N (0.1 ml) was added. To this solution was added MePEG₁₂NHS (206 mg) (compound 24). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The solid residue was washed with EtOAc (3×4 ml). The solid residue was dissolved in H₂O (2 ml) and the pH of the resulting solution was adjusted to 7.4 by addition of NaOH. The reaction mixture was purified by reverse-phase chromatography (Waters Sep-pak C18 cartridges) using MeOH—H₂O (0-50%) as an eluent. The fractions containing the product were combined, concentrated to dryness and lyophilized to give compound 25 (280 mg). See FIG. 1D.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, D₂O): δ 4.94 (d, J=4.0 Hz, 1H), 4.81 (dd, J=6.8 Hz, J=3.2 Hz, 1H), 4.43 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (br t, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 3.81-3.78 (m, 3H), 3.75-3.71 (m, 2H), 3.70-3.67 (m, 2H), 3.65-3.58 (m, 46H), 3.54-3.52 (m, 2H), 3.48 (br t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.36 (br d, J=9.6 Hz, 1H), 3.29 (s, 3H), 3.27-3.18 (m, 5H), 2.43 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.25 (bt, J=12.4 Hz, 1H), 2.08-2.05 (m, 1H), 1.97 (s, 3H), 1.79-1.76 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.21 (m, 11H), 1.19-1.04 (m, 8H), 0.86-0.76 (m, 5H); LC-MS Calculated for C₆₀H₁₀₈NaN₃O₂₇ [1326.7 (M+), 1348.7 (M+Na)]. A scan of the NMR spectrum is presented in FIGS. 3A-3D.

Synthesis of Compound 26:

Compound 26 was synthesized as described for compound 25 (see FIG. 1D) except that the PEG reactant had an n of 8 (i.e., 8 repeating PEG units) rather than 12 as for the synthesis of compound 25.

Compound 26:

Synthesis of Compound 27:

Compound 27 was synthesized as described in FIG. 2.

Compound 27:

Synthesis of Compound 27A: Compound 19 (0.05 g) was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ (10 ml). To this solution was added Pd[(Ph₃)P]₄ (5 mg), Bu3SnH (0.0011 ml), and (CF3CO)₂O (0.0015 ml) with stirring at room temperature. Stirring was continued for 30 min at room temperature. The reaction mixture was evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by column chromatography (silica gel) to give compound 27A (0.030 g).

Compound 27A (0.025 g) was subjected to hydrogenation with 10% Pd—C exactly in same way as described for compound 21 and the solvent was evaporated off after filtering of the catalyst. The residue was treated with NaOMe in MeOH as described for compound 22, neutralized with IR-120 (H+) resin, filtered, and the solvent was evaporated off. The residue was purified by reverse phase (C18) HPLC to give compound 27 (7 mg).

Synthesis of Compound 28:

Compound 28:

Synthesis Scheme for Compound 28:

Synthesis of Compound 28: Commercially available compound 27B (0.014 g) was dissolved in DMF (1 ml). To this solution was added DIPEA (0.00175 ml) and HATU (0.038 g) and the reaction mixture was stirred for 2 min at room temperature. Compound 23 (0.035 g) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h at room temperature. Solvent was evaporated off and the residue was purified by HPLC (C18) to give compound 28 (17 mg).

Synthesis of Compound 29:

Synthesis Scheme for Compound 29:

Commercially available compound 27C (0.021 g) was reacted with compound 23 (0.035 g) exactly in the same way as described for compound 28 and purified by HPLC (C18) to give compound 29 (0.020 g).

Example 2 E-Selectin Activity—Binding Assay

The inhibition assay to screen for and characterize glycomimetic antagonists of E-selectin is a competitive binding assay, which allows the determination of IC₅₀ values. E-selectin/Ig chimera was immobilized in 96 well microtiter plates by incubation at 37° C. for 2 hours. To reduce nonspecific binding, bovine serum albumin was added to each well and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. The plate was washed and serial dilutions of the test compounds were added to the wells in the presence of conjugates of biotinylated, sLe^(a) polyacrylamide with streptavidin/horseradish peroxidase and incubated for 2 hours at room temperature.

To determine the amount of sLe^(a) bound to immobilized E-selectin after washing, the peroxidase substrate, 3,3′,5,5′ tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was added. After 3 minutes, the enzyme reaction was stopped by the addition of H₃PO₄, and the absorbance of light at a wavelength of 450 nm was determined. The concentration of test compound required to inhibit binding by 50% was determined and reported as the IC₅₀ value for each glycomimetic E-selectin antagonist as shown in the table below. IC₅₀ values for exemplary compounds disclosed herein are provided in the following table.

E-Selectin Antagonist Activity of Glycomimetic Compounds

Compound IC₅₀(μM) 22 <4.0 27 <4.0 29 <4.0 25 <4.0 28 <4.0  77* 4.33 *See Example 6

In addition to reporting the absolute IC₅₀ value as measured above, relative IC₅₀ values (rIC₅₀) are determined by a ratio of the IC₅₀ measured for the test compound to that of an internal control (reference) stated for each assay.

Substitution of the methyl group at the R³ position of compound 22 with a trimethylfluoro (—CF₃) group did not significantly alter the E-selectin antagonist activity of compound 22; however, the substitution did increase the hydrophobicity of the molecule, thereby improving the bioavailability of the glycomimetic compound.

Example 4 Mobilization of Hematopoietic Cells by an E-Selectin Antagonist

This example describes hematopoietic stem cell mobilization by an exemplary E-selectin antagonist. Groups of mice (16 mice per group) received a single dose of 20, 40, or 60 mg/kg of Compound 25 or 3 mg/kg of plerixafor (also called AMD-3100), which is a CXCR4 antagonist. These compounds were administered once intravenously. A control group of 8 animals received vehicle only. Blood samples were taken at 2, 3, and 6 hours after dosing and analyzed for complete blood count (CBC). Neutrophils were enumerated (K/μl) (i.e., 1000's per microliter) in each sample at each time point. The data are presented in FIG. 4. Administration of Compound 25 resulted in an increased number of the neutrophils in the blood (i.e., mobilization). Mobilization of neutrophils observed in animals receiving Compound 25 exhibited similar kinetics and level of increase as observed in animals receiving AMD-3100.

Example 5 Mobilization of Hematopoietic Cells by an E-Selectin Antagonist

In another experiment, the capability of an adhesion antagonist such as Compound 25 to release normal blood cells from immune compartments such as the spleen, bone marrow, and liver was examined. The mobilization activity of Compound 25 was monitored by examining the level of additional hematologic cell subtypes in circulation shortly after dosing.

Mobilization activity of Compound 25 was examined in a cohort of CD-1 mice after a single dose of 20, 40 or 60 mg/kg injected intravenously. The mobilization activity of Compound 25 was compared to AMD3100 dosed at 3 mg/kg and to untreated controls. Blood was collected from the animals at 2, 3, and 6 hours post dosing and analyzed for levels of blood cells (WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils) by standard CBC differential analyses methods.

All dose levels of Compound 25 increased the level of total WBC, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, and neutrophils in circulation with the peak mobilization for most cell types occurring at 3 hours. The level and timing of WBC mobilization by AMD3100 was generally equivalent to that elicited by Compound 25 (FIG. 5).

Example 6 Potency of E-Selectin Antagonists

Compound 25 was evaluated for its ability to inhibit binding of an internal control E-selectin glycomimetic, Compound 77 to immobilized E-selectin in an ELISA-based assay. This inhibition assay is a competitive binding assay, which allows the determination of IC₅₀ values (see also Example 2). Briefly, E-selectin/Ig chimera was immobilized by incubation at 37° C. in 96-well microtiter plates. To reduce nonspecific binding, bovine serum albumin was added to each well and incubated at room temperature for 2 hours. The plates were washed, and serial dilutions of the test compounds were added to the wells in the presence of reagents capable of detecting the bound immuno-complexes (conjugates of biotinylated, SLea polyacrylamide with streptavidin/horseradish peroxidase). To determine the amount of SLea reagent bound to immobilized E-selectin after washing, the peroxidase substrate, 3,3′,5,5′ tetramethylbenzidin (TMB) was added. After 10 minutes, the enzyme reaction was stopped by the addition of H₃PO₄, and the absorbance of light at a wavelength of 450 nm was determined. The concentration of test compound required to inhibit binding by 50% was determined and reported as the IC₅₀ value for each glycomimetic E-selectin antagonist. In addition to reporting the absolute IC₅₀ value as measured above, relative IC₅₀ values were determined by a ratio of the IC₅₀ measured for the test compound to that of an internal control (reference) stated for each assay. Compound 25 was measured against the internal control, Compound 77.

Compound 25 with an average IC₅₀ of 2.4 μM showed competitive inhibition of E-selectin at concentrations substantially lower than the reference compound, Compound 77, which had an average IC₅₀ of 4.33 μM. Compound 25 selectively and potently inhibits the binding of E-selectin.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. All U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, non-U.S. patents, non-U.S. patent applications, and non-patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet are incorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ concepts of the various patents, applications, and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure. 

I claim the following:
 1. A method for mobilizing cells from the bone marrow in a subject comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient and a compound of formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, isomer, tautomer, hydrate or solvate thereof, wherein: R¹ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl; R² is a linker-non-glycomimetic moiety, wherein the non-glycomimetic moiety comprises polyethylene glycol; R³ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or cyclopropyl; R⁴ is —OH or —NZ¹Z², wherein Z¹ and Z² are each independently H, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl or wherein Z¹ and Z² join to form a ring; R⁵ is C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl; R⁶ is —OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl; R⁷ is —CH₂OH, C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl; and R⁸ is C₁-C₈ alkyl, C₂-C₈ alkenyl, C₂-C₈ alkynyl, C₁-C₈ haloalkyl, C₂-C₈ haloalkenyl or C₂-C₈ haloalkynyl.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the formula:

wherein n is 1 to
 100. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein n is 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, or
 28. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the formula:


5. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the formula:


6. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the formula:


7. The method of claim 1, wherein the compound has the formula:


8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cells are hematopoietic cells.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the hematopoietic cells are hematopoietic stem cells and hematopoietic progenitor cells.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the hematopoietic cells are mature white blood cells.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the cells are tumor cells.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the tumor cells are hematologic tumor cells.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the tumor cells are malignant cells. 